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Nico di Angelo loved Percy Jackson, & he hated himself for it. Knowing it was inevitable, that Percy really loved Annabeth, just rubbed salt on the gaping wound that was in his heart. The wound, or the hole, that was in his heart, the one that could only be filled by Percy.
Nico di Angelo memorized the features on Percy Jackson's face, his expressions that often came with sarcastic quips, & even his hair—be it in the morning or on a special occasion. He'd take anything. A smile or a wink, a high-five or a side hug. He'd always overanalyze the little actions Percy did that was directed at him, oftentimes repeating their moments of close proximity in his mind, never failing to make him all giddy & lovestruck & happy & stupid & just... utterly in love. He'd overthink whatever Percy said to him, like a "Hey!" or a "Have you eaten yet?". He almost celebrated about Percy asking that before chastising himself for being so weird. He's never felt this way before.
He thought he was making progress.
Wasn't he?
Nico di Angelo watched with tears in his eyes as he watched Percy break the rules & sit beside Annabeth during lunch, not even trying to be subtle with the way he hugged her by the side, hand on her waist, or how he casually draped his arm over her shoulders. Percy once did that to him, too. But Percy never tucked hair behind his ear. Percy never willingly tried to learn something just to surprise him, Nico. Percy never saved him the best part of the meat. No, never Nico. Always Annabeth, all for Annabeth. What happened between the two?
Nico di Angelo never saw the very moment of when Percy & Annie got together, so it means there's a chance for Nico to get him, right?
Nico di Angelo was there from the start. Even as a young boy, he's already liked Percy. Teaching Percy Mythomagic was an excuse for Nico to accidentally brush his fingers against Percy's. He would watch as Percy's gaze just morphs into one of pure adoration & love around Annabeth, his beautiful sea-green eyes lighting up at the mention of her name.
Nico di Angelo hated being different, hated being gay. Sometimes he's still in denial, sometimes he's come to terms with it. He hated being an overthinker & an overanalyzer, being ever so gullible to believe that Percy also, somehow, loves Nico back. How stupid of him to believe that.
Maybe some people really just weren't meant to be with one another.
Maybe the sea & the moon really just couldn't mix.
Maybe Percy Jackson & Nico di Angelo weren't meant to be.
Maybe boys really just couldn't love boys.